A Tanner for your thoughts

As widely predicted today failed to see the recommencement of building work on the Minchery Farm stadium as the delays which have dogged this project from the outset continue apparently ad nauseum. This time it's due to the land deal between the City Council and Firoz Kassam still not having been signed, despite assurances from both parties that it was imminent over a month ago. In a radio interview Council leader John Tanner urged Kassam to “get his chequebook out” and start building, however he failed to even mention the land deal. Tanner did say that he thought the outstanding payments to Thames Water for breaking the covenant was not Kassam's problem, and that the Judicial Review and Les Wells' caution were both irrelevancies. Of course, if this is the case it begs the question as to what the hold up is with the land deal, which Kassam has declared he's ready to sign, and which he claims he must sign before builders start on site. Tanner believes this is a risk which all businessmen occasionally face, but then it's not his £10,000,000, is it? Kassam has himself said that he is prepared to risk the JR and the caution, but only once the Council has completed their part of the bargain. If the land deal remains unsigned in the short term then Kassam needs to decide whether or not to proceed soon if the stadium is to be ready in time for the start of next season.

Oxford Mail exclusive

In one of the Oxford Mail's famous non-stories (print something spurious one day in order to print a denial the following day) it reported that there is a possibility that next season Oxford and Swindon may ground share at Minchery Farm. Of course everyone connected with both clubs denied the story, so maybe it is true after all…

Lundin's day of misery

Pål Lundin will miss the home game against Bristol Rovers on January 22nd as a result of his dismissal against Nottingham Forest. United have yet to announce who they will bring in for cover as the club's other first class 'keeper is on international duty with South Africa.

Lambert tries his luck at Vale

Oxford flop Jamie Lambert is having a trial at First Division Port Vale. Lambert was unable to agree personal terms with United and waltzed off in a strop.